Reservist Magazine, Port Security Units Issue

From the Editor - In September, my family started the 2020-2021 school year from home, and I tell you what—we are just as busy as we were whe we were all going out in a normal, pre-pandemic world.

My husband and I are both Coast Guard civilians, as well as Coast Guard reservists, and when you add in proctoring school for our three sons, it feel like the world needs to stop spinning this fast. Feels like I need an eighth day of the week so I can catch my breath…

Two thoughts on this, though

The first one, short and sweet: “Busy is a decision.” This is a quote from Debbie Millman, a brilliant designer interviewed by Tim Ferriss on his podcast (And you know how I love podcasts.)

She talked about how it’s become cultural cachet to use being busy as an excuse. Millman continued: “We do the things we want to do, period. If w say we are too busy, it is shorthand for ‘not important enough.’ It means you would rather be doing something else that you consider more important… You don’t find the time to do something; you make the time to do things.” That’s so honest, I get a chill reading it

So, hold that thought for a second while I give you another. I read an article in the Harvard Business Review titled “Stop Feeling Guilty About Your ToDo List,” which basically said that we need to make peace with the notion that we’ll never, ever be caught up. No matter how much we game it out, there are always going to be those quick turn-around items, as well as those chance opportunities to counsel, mentor, teach and listen. And besides, lists are just guides; we’re not robots. We’re re-prioritizing. As a type-A person with lists long enough to tie my corframs together, I admit, this is a hard pill to take. My day feels like it’s done when my list is all checked off

And yet, if I think about it just a hair longer, the relief creeps into the corners of my mind when I admit that this level of rigidity is setting me up for failure. This set of ideas is more than just good advice for how to manage the routine of school and work during a pandemic—this is a strategy for a life well-lived. When you slough off that busy-ness and routine, and focus your time and effort on the diamond priorities, things become clearer… and just a little easier. I’ve had to rearrange a lot of things in my life to make sure my family stays #1, my expectations for myself stay reasonable, and my commands (both civilian and military) stay well-informed. There’s dozens of ways the routine can get tripped up, but I try not to think too far ahead of myself. One day at a time. So, I have to remember these two concepts: distilling your effort to the most important things, and stay focused on the long game, even when the day gets away from you. This concept is still tough for a type-A like me; I’m not used to relinquishing control—the idea still needs some marinating.

I wrote myself a sticky note with a half-dead Sharpie and posted it near my desk in my new home office—a second-hand dining room table with a small laptop. My husband sits opposite me, at the other end of the table, and we take turns being the parent-on-call, fielding questions from our children, making the lunches, reviewing the homework—this in between calls from our bosses, meetings via videoconference, and weaving in the odd day or two per week in the office.

But, now is the winter of our discontent; life is still moving forward. This is my final issue before starting a set of active duty orders for the 2021 Inauguration. I worked on the 2017 Inauguration as well, just before accepting this job. Working with the five-service joint task force to put on the ceremonial parts of the Inauguration was one of the most rewarding opportunities of my Coast Guard career, and, while it came with its challenges, I’m looking forward to doing it again.

Doesn’t mean I’ll forget you, dear readers. Email your story ideas at TheReservist@uscg.mil, and I’ll put them together for a springtime issue, around February 2021. I’ll be back in a few months; be good while I’m away

Click cover image to download a printable pdf